Restraining device



Aug 23, 1960 G. w. MITCHELL ETAL 2,949,761

RESTRAINING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2l. 1958 A-r-rogNEx/s Aug. 23, 1960 G. w. MITCHELL ErAL 2,949,751

RESTRAINING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 21. 1958 INVEN oRs 08 GARLAND W- MITCHELL. EAX-rse B- Smm AI'TOR N EYS Aug. 23, 1960 cs. w. MrrcHELL Erm,

RESTRAINING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb T 1;! zNvENToRs GAraLANn W. MncHELL Bmx-raz. E. Smm

ATTORNEYS Sates RESTRAINING DEVICE Garland W. Mitchell, Butner, and Baxter B. Sapp, Raleigh, N.C., assignors to The M 8l S Safety Co., inc., Raleigh, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Feb. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 716,781

16 Claims. (Cl. 70-16) support such as, for example, the iloor of a police squadV car, patrol wagon, ambulance or other types of vehicles, the device being so constructed as to prevent the manacled prisoner from assaulting or otherwise interfering with the activities of the arresting oicer or person in whose custody he is placed, as well as to prevent the manacled individual from escaping from the vehicle.V

Another object of this invention is to provide a restrain-I ing device which includes extensible elements whereby a prisoner or patient connected thereto may be comfortably seated and which, at the same time, when in their collapsed or telescoped positions the extensible elements occupy a. minimum of space. f

A still further object of this invention is to provide a restraining device of the type generally described above, together with means for pivotally connecting the restraining device to the supporting member whereby the restraining device may be turned to an inoperative position out of the path of movement of persons or individuals approximate thereto.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a restraining device of the type generally referred to above, together with means for releasably securing one or both` ankles of the prisoner or patient to be restrained.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of a restraining device of the type described generally supra, the device being noncomplex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the in-` stant invention will become more evident froma consideration of the following speciiication when read inconjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective vieW of` one embodiment of` this invention, Figure 1 illustrating the restraining device as being secured to a vehicle floor and to which 'is-- connected a manacled person;

the device;

Figure 3 is an end elevational'view, partly` in cross section, of the restraining device illustrated in Figure 1;`

Figure 4 is a detail cross-sectional view taken substantially on the horizontal planeof line 4 4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

' Figurev 5 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, looking in the directionof thearrows; Y

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of this invention;

p Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the restrainingv Figure 10 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of a third embodiment of a restraining device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 1l is an end elevational view of the restraining device illustrated in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 12--12 of Figure 10, looking in the direction of the arrows-i; and

Figure 13 is a vertical detail cross sectional view of a further embodiment of this invention.

Referring now more specically to the drawings, Figures 1 through 5, inclusive, illustrate a iirst embodiment of a restraining device constructed in accordance with the teachings of thetinstant invention. Reference numeral 10 designates, in general, the restraining device v which is seen to `comprise an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion 12 having an open end 14 and an oppositely disposed substantially closed end 16 having a substantially centrally located circular aperture 18 extending extending transversely therethrough. An L-shaped slot 20 is formed in the main body portion 12 and has an axially extending leg por-- tion 22 which projects upwardly from the'open end 14 to a' point intermediate the ends of the main body portion 12, the upper end of the leg portion 22 intersecting a foot portion 24 at substantially right angles with respect thereto.

An elongated, substantially cylindrical plunger bar 26- is mounted for reciprocation within the main body portion 12 and has an end thereof which extends through the aperture 18 formed in the closed end 16. As is seen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the lower end of the plunger rod 26 is threaded to receive a conventional octagonal nut 28 disposed adjacent the open end 14 of the main body portion 12, the nut 28 serving toA maintain the plunger bar 26 in coaxial alignment withv the aperture 18. A conventional helicoidal spring 30 surrounds the plunger rod 26 and is enclosed within theV main body portion 12 of the device 10. As is clearly seen` in Figures 2 and 3, one end of the helicoidal spring 30` abuts against the closed end 16, whilethe other end ofV the spring 30 abuts against a radially projecting lug or. pin 32, the latter being adapted for reeiprocation withinY the L-shaped slot 20Y to serve a function to be described. From the foregoing description, it will be understood Y that the plunger 26 is consantly biased by the spring 30` for movement towards the open end 14 of the main body portion 12.

An elongated, substantially rectangular mounting plate` ing slot 22. A plurality of screws 42 and nuts 44 rigidlyk secure the mounting plate to a vehicle floor or other support 40.

The upper end of the plunger rod 26 is rigidlyv secured to a hook assembly generally designatedat 46.` As is shown'in Figure 2, the upper end of the -rod 26 is:y rigidly connected between a pair of vertically elongatedV Patented Aug. 2?,` 1961) substantially rectangular flat plates 48, 50 and the stem 51 of a hook 52 is welded between a pair of adjacent ends of the plates 48, 50.

An elongated, substantially cylindrical lock pin 54 has one. of its ends pivotally secured on a pivot pin 56 be tween the plates 48, 50 adjacent their respective oppositely dispo-sed pairs of ends, the arrangement being such that the free end of the lock pin 54 engages against the free end of the hook 52 when the hook is closed vand is pivotal away therefrom when the hook is opened.

A helicoidal spring S under compression is interposed between the stem S11 and lock pin 54,. the spring 5S constantly biasing the lock'pin 54 for movement towards its closed position.l

A lock 6i)A is mounted on the hook assembly 46 and comprises a conventional tumbler lock having an externally threaded substantially hollow cylinder 62 which extends through an opening 64 in the plate 50, the tumbler bolt 66 thereof having an elongated, substantially rectangular protuberance 67 extending radially therefrom and disposed in confronting relation relative to the member 54 for engagement therewith when turned or rotated to its locked position. A pair of nuts 68, 70 threadedly engage the cylinder 62 on opposite sides of the plate 50 in the manner shown in order to secure the lock 60 in place. A key 72 is provided for actuating the lock 6G in the conventional manner.

For the purpose of illustrating the utility of the above described restraining device 1G, let it be assumed that the prisoner or patient has been handcuffed or manacled. Let

it also be further assumed that the restraining device is connected to the support 411 which comprises the oor of an automotive vehicle.

The handcuffed prisoner or patient is seated onv the vehicle seat in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, the prisoners legs being disposed on opposite sides of the main body portion 12 of the restraining device 10. Thereafter, the officer inserts the key 72 in the tumbler bolt 66 and rotates the same in such a manner as to effect disengagement of the protuberance 67 from against the-lock pin S4. The hook portion 52 is now grasped by the ofcer and pulled upwardly until the pin 32 engages against the upper end of 4the slot 2&2 `after which the hook portion 52 is rotated in a clockwise direction to eifect engagement of the pin 32 in the foot portion 24 of the slot 20. The hook portion 52 is now supported in elevated position relative to `the main body portion 12. The ofcer then thrusts the links of the manacles against the lock pin 54 causing the same to move inwardly against the pressure of the spring 58, and as the links of the manacles clear the upper end of the lock pin 54 the latter springs back into engagement with the free end of the hook portion 52.l The officer now rotates the key 72 in the opposite direction to effect reengagement of the protuberance 67 against the lock pin 54 to prevent any pivotal movement thereof. The key is then removed from the lock 60 and the prisoner or patient is then secu-rely shackled to the floor 40 in the manner illustrated in Figure 1.

From the foregoing remarks, it is now evident that the handcuffed prisoner cannot assault or interfere in any manner with the activities of the officer or custodian..

When the prisoner or patient has reached his destination he is released from the hook 52 Vby effecting rotation of the tumbler bolt 66 in the opposite direction to cause the protuberance 67 to move away from engagement with the lock pin 54. The officer now presses inwardly on the lock pin 54 causing the free end thereof to become disengaged from the free end of the hook portion 52 so that the links of the manacles may be slipped over'the free end of the lock pin 54 to effect disengagement thereof from the hook 52. After the prisoner has been released, the hook portion 52 is rotated'in a counterclockwise direction to move thetpin y32 from the slot 24 and into alignment with the slot 22. The hook portion 52 may now be released and the latter is now moved downwardly under the intiuence of the spring 30.

Figures 6 through 9, inclusive, illustrate a second embodiment of the restraining device constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention, wherein the device in general is identified by' reference numeral 110 and is seen to comprise a substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion 112 having an open end 114 and an opposed closed end 116. The closed end 116 is provided with a substantially centrally located aperture 118 extending therethrough and through which extends a substantially cylindrical plunger bar 126, the latter passing through the main body portion 112 and having a standard octagonal nut 128 threadedly mounted thereon adjacent that end thereof disposed approximate the open end 114. The bolt 12S and the closed end 116 of the main body portion 112 serves as abutments for a helicoidal spring 130 which loosely surrounds the plunger bar `126 and constantly tends to urge the bar 126 for movement towards the end 114.

Adjacent the open end 114 of the main body portion 112 is positioned a semicircular retaining ring 260y attached to the main body portion 112 by means of welds 202, 204 or by other suitable means. A second semicircular ring 266 loosely extends through the rst semicircular ring 200 and is iixedly connected to a substantially rectangular mounting plate 134 supported upon a vehicle floor or other support member 140. On the opposite side of the oor 140 a substantially at, circular second mounting plate 208 is provided. Screws 142 exvtend through the mounting plates 134, 208 and the support 140 and thread'edly receive nuts 144 thereon in order yto rigidly secure the device to the support 140.

A hook assembly 146 is provided and comprises a hook portion 152 having a free end and a stem153 which Acomprises an integral extension of the plunger bar 126, and welded thereto on opposite sides thereof is a substantially rectangular back plate 148 and oppositely disposed substantially rectangular frontal plate 150. The plates 14S, 15d are disposed in spaced substantially parallel relation and have one end of a lock pin 154 pivotally connected therebetween on a pivot pin 156. The lock pin 156 has a free end portion adapted to engage the free end of the hook portion 152 when these elements are in their closed or locked positions. As is seen in Figures 6 land 8, a helicoidal spring 130 under compression extends between the stem 153 and the lock pin 154 and constantly biases the free end of the latter into engagement with the free end of the hook portion 152.

A lock assembly 160 identical to the lock assembly 60 described above is mounted on the frontal plate 150 and includes a tumbler bolt 166 having a protuberance 167 projecting radially therefrom, the free end of the protuberance being selectively rotatable by means of a key (not shown) insertable into a slot 172 for engagement with the lock pin 1154.

In this embodiment of the invention and with the prisoner or patient shackled to the hook 152, the prisoner or patient may move his hands and arms a limited distance vertically causing the plunger rod 126 to move upwardly against the pressure of the spring 130. Limited lateral or pivotal movement is also afforded by virtue of the ring assembly 200, 206.

Upon the release of the prisoner, the spring returns the plunger rod 1126 to its inoperative position and the main body portion 112 may be pivoted to l-ie on the floor out of the path of movement of other individuals.

In the two embodiments of this invention described above, it should be noted that the nuts 28 and 128 serve to limit the outward movement of the plunger rods 26, 126 should the prisoner or patient be so violent as to cause breakage of the lug 32 and effect compression ofthe springs. 30, 130V adjacent the closed ends 16, 116 of the main body portions 12, 112. The diameter of the nuts 28, 12.8 is greater than the diameter of the openings 18, 118 so that the rods 26, 126 cannot be completely withdrawn from the main body portions 12, 1'12.

Figures l() through l2, inclusive, illustrate a third embodiment of a restraining device constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention, wherein the device in general is identified by reference numeral 300 and is seen to comprise an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion 302 externally threaded at 304, the threads 304 extending from the lower end of the main body portion 302 and terminating at a point proximate to but spaced from the upper end thereof. As is seen in Figures and l1, the lower threaded end of the main body portion 302 is threaded into an internally threaded boss 306 having an integrally formed substantially cylindrical radially extending ange 308, the latter being iixedly secured to the floor 310 of a vehicle (not shown) by means of screws 312 and nuts 314. Axial movement between the main body portion 302 and the boss 306 is prevented by means of a lock nut 316 which is threaded on the main body portion 302 and tightened against the upper end of the boss 306. An L-shaped slot 318 is formed in the main body portion 302 and has an axially extending leg portion 320- which projects upwardly from a point adjacent the lower end of the main body portion 302 to a point intermediate the ends thereof, the upper end of the leg portion 320 intersecting a foot portion 322 at substantially right angles with respect thereto. The upper end of the main body portion 302 has welded or otherwise secured therein a cylindrical centrally apertured disc 3:24.

An elongated, substantially cylindrical plunger bar 326 is mounted for reciprocation within the main body portion 302 and has an end thereof which extends through the apertured disc 324. The lower end of the plunger bar 326 is provided with radially projecting lug or pin 328 which is adapted to be slidably received within the L-shaped slot 3118, in the manner described in the first embodiment of this invention.

superimposed over and secured to the plunger bar 326 is a washer 330. As is seen in Figure 10, the washer 330 is positioned immediately adjacent the pin 328.

Interposed between the washer 330 and the disc 324 and surrounding the plunger bar 326 is a helicoidal spring 332 under compression.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the plunger bar 326 is constantly biased by the helicoidal spring 332 for movement towards the lower end of the main body portion 302.

The plunger bar 326 is of such length as to have the upper end thereof projecting above the upper end of the main body portion 302. To the projecting upper end of the plunger bar 326 is rigidly secured a hook assembly generally designated by reference numeral 334. As is illustrated in Figures l0 and l1, the projecting end of the plunger bar 326 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured between a pair of vertically elongated substantially rectangular at side plates 336, 338 adjacent the lower end thereof.

An elongated, substantially cylindrical lock pin 340 has one of its ends pivotally secured on a pivot pin 342 which is supported on and extends between the side plates 336, 338 adjacent the lower ends thereof. As in the preceding embodiments of this invention, the free end of the lock pin, in its closed position, is adapted to engage the free end of a substantially arcuately shaped hook 342 having an elongated stem 344 rigidly secured to the side plates 336, 338.

A helicoidal spring 346 is interposed between the stem 344 and the lock pin 340, the spring 344 constantly -tending to bias the pin 340 towards its normally closed position.

Reference numeral 348 designates the conventional tumbler lock mounted on the side plate 336 and includes `a cylinder 350 having elongated substantially rectangular protuberance 352 extending radially therefrom for f-l leasable engagement against the lock pin 340, in the manner described above.

Reference numeral 354 denotes an arcuately shaped member which is adapted to receive therethrough the detachable end 356 of a conventional snap hook 358, a ring 360 is swivelly connected at 362 with the other end of the snap hook 358, and the ring 360 has connected thereto a link 364. The link 364 is also connected with a second substantially rectangular link 366 across one side of which extends a securing member 368 riveted at 370 to a flexible belt or strap 372 adjacent one end thereof. As is clearly seen in Figures 1l and 12, the aforementioned one end of the strap 372 is furnished with a buckle 374, the tongue 376 of which is adapted to be releasably secured, selectively, within any one of the openings 378 formed in the other end of the strap 372 and disposed in longitudinally spaced relation relative to each other.

The above described third embodiment of this invention operates in the same manner as described above to secure the hands of the prisoner or patient. However, in some instances, the person under restraint may thrash his legs wildly about while disposed -in the transporting vehicle. To prevent serious bodily injury to not only the patient but to his attendant, the ankles of the restrained person are brought together and secured against movement by means of the strap 372.

Figure 13 illustrates, partially, still another embodiment of this invention wherein reference numeral 400 refers to the restraining device, in general. 'Ihe device 400 is seen to comprise an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion 402 externally threaded at 404, the threads 404 extending from the lower end of the main body portion 402 and terminating at a point approximate to but spaced from the npper end thereof. As in the preceding embodiment of this invention, the

- upper end of the main body portion 402 is provided with a disc 406 rigidly secured therein, as by welding, the disc 466 being provided with a central aperture or opening 408. A plunger bar 410 is normally disposed within the main body portion 402, and the upper end of the plunger bar 410 projects above the disc 406 for connection wtilh `a hook assembly of the type described above.

The lower end of the plunger bar 410 is externally threaded at 412 and receives thereon a rubber washer 414 which frictionally engages, under compression, against the inner side of the main body portion 402. A pair of tension control nuts 416, 418 are threaded on the plunger bar 410 on opposite sides of the Washer 414 in such a manner that adjustment of the nuts 416, 418 towards each other increases the friction between the washer 414 and the main body portion 402 or, movement of the nuts 416, 418 relative to each other permits `decompression of the washer 414 and a lesser degree of friction between the washer 414 and the main body portion 402.

The hook assemblies of any one of the preceding embodiments cf this invention may be connected with the plunger bar 410 and the base assembly of the modification illustrated in Figures l0 through 12, inclusive, may be also employed with or without the ankle restraining strap 372 as desired.

Having described and illustrated in detail four embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the same are offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for restraining a person wearing manacles, said manacles including links, said device comprising an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion having an open end and opposed substantially closed end, a mounting plate fixedly connected to said rmain body portion adjacent said open end, e. substantially cylindrical plunger bar positioned within said main body portion and having one end thereof passing throughV an 'opening provided insaid closed end thereof, a lug member projecting radially from said bar adjacent the other end thereof, a coil spring disposed in said main body portion and surrounding said plunger bar, said spring having an end thereof abutting against closed end of said main body portion and its other end abutting against said lug member, a substantially L-shaped slot formed in said Vmain body portion, said lug member being slidably received within said slot, a hook assembly rigidly secured to said one end of said plunger bar, said hook assembly releasably receiving links of said manacles therein, and locking means for said hook assembly.

2. A device as dened'in claim 1 wherein said hook assembly includes a hook portion, and a pair of plates secured to said hook portion, one of said plates being provided with a transversely extending opening, said locking means being disposed in said opening and ixedly secured to said one plate, said locking means including a key controlled tumbler bolt and a locking pin, said bolt having a protuberance projecting radially therefrom and having an end selectively rotatable into and out of engagement with said locking pin to releasably hold one end of said locking pin against the adjacent end of said hook portion.

3. A device for restraining a manacled or handcuffed person comprising an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion having opposed open and closed ends, a cylindrical plunger bar positioned for reciprocation within said main body portion and having an end thereof projecting through said closed end, a coil spring surrounding said plunger bar and having one of its ends engaging against said closed end, abutment means mounted on the other end of said bar for engagement by the other end of said spring, means for pivotally connecting said open end of said device to a support member, and a hook assembly xedly secured to said one end of said bar, said hook assembly including means for the selective opening and closing thereof, and locking means for maintaining the hook assembly in a closed position.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for pivotally connecting said device to a support member comprise a semicircular ring xedly connected to said main lbody portion adjacent its said open end, a second semicircular ring linked to said first semicircular ring and iixedly connected to a substantially rectangular mounting plate, and means for connecting said mounting plate with said support member.

5. A device as deiined in claim 16 wherein a locking means is provided, said locking means comprises a substantially cylindrical rotatable tumbler bolt extending through said frontal plate, and a substantially rectangular protuberance extending from said tumbler bolt for selective rotation into and out of engagement with said lock pin.

6. A device for restraining a person wearing manacles, said manacles including links, said device comprising an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion having external threads extending from one end thereof and terminating at a point adjacent its other end; an internally threaded boss threadedly mounted on said threaded end of said main body portion, said boss having a radial Itiange projecting away therefrom, means for iixedly securing said ange to a iixed support; an apertured disc disposed within and 'tixedly secured to the other end of said main body portion, asubstantially cylindrical plunger bar positioned within said main body portion and having one end thereof passing through said apertured disc, a pin projecting radially from said bar adjacent the other end thereof, a helicoidal .spring under compression disposed in said main body portion and surrounding said plunger bar, said spring having an end therein, and locking means for said hook assembly.

7. A restraining device as defined in claim 6 and means connected with said restraining device for engagement around the ankles of the restrained person.

8. A restraining device as defined in claim 7 wherein said last-named means include an arcuately shaped member having the ends thereof xedly secured to the said flange, a snap hoo-k having one of its ends detachably connected with said arcuate member, and linkage means xedly securing the other end of said snap hook to a restraining strap engageable about the ankles of the restrained person.

9. A device for restraining a manacled or handcuffed person comprising an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion having external threads extending from one end thereof and terminating at a point adjacent its other end, an internally threaded boss threadedly mounted on said threaded end of said main body portion, said boss having a radial ange projecting away therefrom, said main body portion being adapted to be secured to the floor of a vehicle by means for iixedly securing said flange thereto, an apertured disc disposed within and xedly secured to the other end of said main body portion, la substantially cylindrical plunger bar positioned within said main body portion and having one end thereof extending through said apertured disc for recprocation therethrough, said one end of said plunger bar having manacle engaging means xedly secured thereto, a resilient washer mounted on the -other end of said plunger bar for sliding engagement with the inner side of said main body portion, and means on said other end of said plunger bar for adjusting tension on said washer.

l0. A device for restraining a manacled or handcuffed person comprising an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion having external threads extending from one end thereof and terminating at a point adjacent its other end, an internally threaded boss threadedly mounted on said threaded end of said main body portion, said boss having a radial flange projecting away therefrom, said main body portion being adapted to be secured to the door of a vehicle by means for tixedly securing said flange thereto, an apertured disc disposed within and iixedly secured to the other end of said main body portion, a substantially cylindrical plunger bar positioned within said main body portion and having one end thereof passing through said apertured disc for reciprocation therein, said one end of said plunger bar having manacle engaging means ixedly secured thereto, said plunger bar being externally threaded at the other end thereof, a resilient Washer mounted on said threaded end of said plunger bar, said washer slidablyv engaging the inner side of said main body portion, and a pair of nuts threaded on said threaded end of said plunger bar, said nuts engaging against opposite sides of said washer to effect adjustment of the tension thereon.

l1. A restraining device as defined in claim 10 and means connected with said restraining device for engagement around the ankles of the restrained person.

12. A restraining device as defined in claim ll wherein said last-named means include an arcuately shaped member having the ends thereof xedly secured to said flange, a snap hook having one Iof its ends detachably connected with said arcuate member, and linkage means xedly securing the other end of said snap hook to a restraining ,strap engageable about the ankles ofthe restrained person.

13, A device for restraining a person Wearing handcuis, said handcuffs including linkage means, the device comprising an elongated substantially hollow main body having a pair of opposed ends, a plunger rod telescopically mounted within the main body and having an end thereof projecting beyond one end of said main body, the opposing end of said main body being iixedly secured to a stationary supporting structure, a hook assembly secured to said end of the plunger rod for releasably receiving the linkage of the handcuff therein, said hook assembly including an arcuate, stationary hook member and a lock pin, said hook member and lock pin defining yan annular linkage Iretaining band, said hook and lock pin each having a free end, said lock pin being normally biased so that its free end engages against the free end of the hook member, a lock mechanism for said hook member, said lock mechanism comprising a key-operated tumbler lock secured on means extending between the hook member and the lock pin, an elongated protuberance secured to the tumbler lock and being movable from a position locking said lock pin against pivotal movement to a second open position which permits Isaid lock pin to be moved, and means disposed in the main body to constantly urge said plunger rod `against withdrawal therefrom.

14. A device for restraining a person wearing manacles, said manacles including linkage means; said device cornprising an elongated substantially hollow main body having a pair of opposed upper and lower ends, said lower end being secured to a supporting structure, and the main body being adapted to extend upwardly from the supporting structure; a plunger rod mounted for reciprocation within said main body, and having an end thereof projecting outwardly and upwardly from the upper end of the main body; a hook assembly adapted to releasably lock the linkage of said manacles therein, said hook assembly being rigidly secured to said projecting end of said plunger rod, said hook assembly including a stationary hook member having a free end and a lock pin pivotally mounted on said assembly, said lock pin having a free end normally engaging said free end of said hook member when said lock pin is in its closed position, and means releasably engaging said lock pinto prevent inadvertent or accidental pivotal movement of said free end of said lock pin from said free end of said hook member; and means disposed in said main body constantly biasing said rod for movement toward said lower end.

15. A device for restraining a person Wearing manacles, said manacles including linkage means; said device comprising an elongated substantially hollow main body having a pair of opposed upper and lower ends, said lower end being secured to a supporting structure, and the main body being adapted to extend upwardly from the supporting structure; a plunger rod mounted for reciprocation within said main body, and having an -end thereof projecting outwardly and upwardly from the upper end of the main body; a hook assembly adapted to releasably lock the linkage of said manacle therein, said hook assembly being rigidly secured to said projecting end of said plunger rod, said hoo-k assembly comprising a substantially semi-circular hook portion having a free end, a substantially rectangular back plate xedly connected to one side of the hook portion, a substantially rectangular frontal plate ixedly secured to the opposite side of said hook portion and extending substantially parallel to said back plate in laterally spaced confronting relation, a lock pin pivotally mounted between said back plate and said frontal plate and having a free end normally engaging said free end of said hook portion, and resilient means iixedly connected to and extending between said hook portion and said lock pin, said resilient means constantly biasing said free end of said lock pin for movement in the direction yof said free end of said hook portion.

16. A device for restraining a manacled or handcuffed person comprising an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical main body portion having opposed open and closed ends, a cylindrical plunger bar positioned for reciprocation within said main body portion and having an end thereof projecting through said closed end, a coil spring surrounding said plunger b-ar and having one of its ends engaging against said closed end, abutment means mounted on the other end of said bar for engagement by the other end of said spring, means for pivotally connecting said open end of said device to a support member, and a hook assembly iixedly secured to said one end of said bar, said hook assembly comprising a semi-circular hook portion as an integral extension of said plunger bar, a substantially rectangular back plate xedly secured to said hook portion, an opposed substantially rectangular frontal plate tixedly connected to said hook portion in laterally spaced substantially parallel and confronting relation relative to said back plate, an elongated lock pin having one of its ends pivotally connected between said back and frontal plates, a coil spring iXedly connected to and extending between said lock pin and said hook portion, and said spring constantly biasing said lock pin from movement in the direction of said hook portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 272,593 Smith Feb. 20, 1883 746,365 McNary Dec. 8, 1903 843,954 Long Feb. 12, 1907 1,051,428 McLeran Ian. 28, 1913 2,396,386 Price Mar. 12, 1946 2,645,922 Martin July 12, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 146,218 Switzerland June 16, 1931 

